Golf club and practice arrangement

ABSTRACT

A golf club and target practice arrangement is disclosed for use in the game of golf. The golf club includes a shaft and a head attached to the shaft. A cavity is formed in the head and a removable light-producing insert is located within the cavity which, when activated, can project a beam of light from the golf club to the target. A non-light producing insert is also provided so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light producing insert. The target includes a reflective surface and a plurality of light-receiving sensors for receiving the beam of light from the golf club. Further included on the target are an indicator light and a speaker for providing visual and audio feedback when the beam of light contacts the sensors. A visor and a tunnel may also be used with the target to shield outside light which may interfere with the sensors and visibility of the indicator light under certain conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/351,606, filed Feb. 10, 2006; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/283,488, filed Nov. 18, 2005; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/659,648, filed Sep. 10, 2003; which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/409,463, filed Sep. 10, 2002; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/447,593, filed on Feb. 14, 2003; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/457,804, filed on Mar. 26, 2003; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/471,953, filed on May 20, 2003. The subject matter disclosed in these applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf, and more particularly to a golf club and practice arrangement that facilitates development of proper club head aiming techniques.

2. Description of the Background of the Invention

One element of a proper golf shot is proper orientation or aim of the club head. It is important that the club head be properly oriented relative to the golf ball and to the target during set-up of the golf shot. A proper golf swing or stroke will return the club head to the golf ball at substantially the same orientation and alignment adopted by the player during set-up. Thus, when addressing the golf ball, it is important the club head be properly oriented and aimed relative to a primary target along the desired line of ball flight or roll.

The most-used club in golf is the putter. The most important and difficult task to accomplish with a putter is proper aim. To achieve proper alignment and orientation, one typically practices, without outside aid, until a proper golf swing is achieved, through a process of trial and error. Such a process is time-consuming, and with modern technologies, can be aided with the help of practice arrangements which can facilitate development of proper putting techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention facilitates the development and practice of proper putter aim, one of the fundamentals in putting and one of the most difficult to master.

In certain embodiments, the present invention is intended primarily as a practice device which may be used both indoors and out. However, the golf club of the present invention may also be used in actual play on a course. This is desirable in that it eliminates the need to transfer learning from a practice device to an alternate club used in regulation play.

In certain embodiments, the practice arrangement and golf club of the present invention is well-suited for both purposes—practice and regulation play—and may be used both to learn proper aim and alignment of the golf club, as well as to actually play the game of golf.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a golf club with a shaft, a head attached to the shaft, a light-producing insert, and a non-light-producing insert. The head has a ball-striking surface, an aperture formed in the ball-striking surface for allowing light to pass therethrough and a cavity formed in the head adjacent the aperture. The light-producing insert is configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity. The non-light-producing insert is configured so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light-producing insert.

In one embodiment, the non-light-producing insert is substantially equal in weight to the light-producing insert and, in certain embodiments, may be substantially the same size and weight, and have substantially the same weight distribution, as the light-producing insert.

In certain embodiments, the ball-striking surface of the head has a translucent material disposed over the aperture. A prism, or lens, may be disposed in, or behind, the aperture for transmitting light produced by the light-producing insert. The prism columnates a light beam produced by the light-producing insert such that the light beam forms a line on a surface between the head and a target. In addition to forming a line on a surface, a portion of the light beam may be projected onto a surface of a target.

In certain embodiments, the prism may be formed as part of the light-producing insert. In these or other embodiments, the aperture is located in an approximate midpoint of the ball-striking surface. A switch may be provided to allow a user to selectively activate the light-producing insert.

In one embodiment, the light-producing insert can include a battery-powered laser device. The non-light-producing insert may be formed of any material having an appropriate size, weight and weight distribution.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a practice arrangement, which includes a combination of a golf club and a target. The golf club includes a shaft, a head attached to the shaft, a light-producing insert, and a non-light-producing insert. The head has a ball-striking surface, an aperture formed in the surface allowing light to pass therethrough and a cavity formed in the head adjacent the aperture. The light-producing insert is configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity. The non-light-producing insert is configured so as to be selectively received within the cavity in place of the light-producing insert.

The target has both a surface for reflecting and a surface for receiving at least a portion of a light beam produced by the light-producing insert to provide an indication of the orientation of the head relative to the target. The target may have a surface which extends transversely to a target line defined by the light-producing insert. The surface may have a plurality of regularly-shaped marks thereon. A portion of the target may be configured so as to extend into a golf hole, or cup, to secure the target in position relative to the hole.

The concepts disclosed are not limited to use with a golf club of the exact type illustrated in the drawings, but may be used with golf clubs of many shapes, sizes or dimensions. Additional embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent to those of skill in the relevant arts upon consideration of the following description of the illustrated embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club and target practice arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the golf club with a non-light-producing insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the golf club taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4A according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the golf club with a non-light-producing insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the golf club taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 5A according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the golf club with a light-producing insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the golf club with no insert according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the target;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 8, including a visor and light tunnel;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11B is a front view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12A is a top plan view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 9, including a visor and light tunnel; and

FIG. 12B is a front view of the embodiment of the target seen in FIG. 9, including a visor and light tunnel;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club and target practice arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention, and as used to practice alignment for a putting stroke. Golf club 10 includes a shaft 12 and a head 14 which is attached to the shaft 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the golf club head 14 is specifically designed for use in putting. The head 14 includes a ball-striking surface or face 16. A target 22 is shown inserted into a cup 34 which may be a hole on a practice green or a regulation green, or another object in an indoor or outdoor setting. The target 22 may include an inner, generally semi-circular surface 24 having a plurality of regularly-spaced marks illustrated, for example, by marks 26 and 28 spaced thereon. The surface 24 acts as a reflective surface for a beam of light, illustrated by broken line 30, produced by a light-producing insert 36 of club 10 and projected along broken line 30 to target 22 to be received by sensors 88, as is further discussed below.

As seen in FIG. 2, an aperture 18 is preferably formed in inset surface 17 formed in face 16 for allowing light to pass from the inside of head 14 through inset surface 17. Covering aperture 18 is translucent element 20 which may be formed, by way of example, of clear plastic. The element 20 fits into the inset surface 17 and is preferably used to provide a smooth planar surface along that portion of surface 16 which makes contact with a golf ball. Element 20 further serves to protect the light-producing insert 36.

A cavity 13 (see, for example, FIG. 7) is formed within the head 14 for receiving the light-producing insert 36. Insert 36 includes a light-producing source 46, such as a laser. Relatively small lasers of the type which may be used in this invention are generally available and are used in hand-held pointing devices, firearm aiming devices, and in other applications. Light-producing source 46 is powered by one or more batteries 38, and produces a light beam which, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4B, is projected from a central portion 40 of insert 36 through a prism or lens 19 and aperture 18. Weights 48 are preferably inserted into insert 36 so as to allow for insert 36 to have the same weight and weight distribution as a non-light-producing insert 50, which will be described in more detail below.

The prism 19 is located in the path of the light beam, to columnate and direct a portion of the beam of light beam produced by a light-producing insert 36 in a path following line 30 along the surface between the club 10 and the target 22, and another portion of the beam along line 30 directly toward the target 22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B, the prism 19 is shown as an integral portion of insert 36, but may be separately mounted in aperture 18 in other embodiments.

The insert 36 also includes a circuit board 54 to which the prism 19, light-producing source 46, and an activation switch 56, is preferably mounted. A housing 58 is provided to enclose the circuit board 54, prism 19, light-producing source 46, batteries 38 and switch 56, while providing an opening for the switch 56 over which a switch button 60 is placed.

A bottom access cover 64 is provided to enclose and provide for ready access to the internal cavity and to allow for easy interchange of inserts 36 and 50. The access cover may be secured by screws 62. In other embodiments, either one or another of the access cover 64, the light-producing insert 36 and the non-light-producing insert 50 (or any combination thereof) may be provided with a snap fit for connection to head 14 to facilitate access to, removal of, and interchangeability of the inserts.

FIG. 6 depicts the bottom face of club head 14 with access cover 64 secured thereto. The switch button 60 extends through an opening in the access cover 64, which allows a user to selectively activate the light-producing insert 36 to selectively project a light beam along line 30 when desired by applying downward pressure upon the club, causing the switch button 60 to make contact with a surface, such as the ground below for turning on switch 56. Alternately, a user can activate and deactivate the light-producing insert 36 by manually pressing on switch button 60.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 5A and 5B, a non-light-producing insert 50 and a bottom access cover 66 may be used in place of light-producing insert 36 and bottom access cover 64, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, insert 50 and bottom access cover 66 are substantially the same size and weight, and have substantially the same weight distribution, as light-producing insert 36 and bottom access cover 64. Alternatively, insert 50 may be of varying weights, so as to meet a user's desire for a lighter or heavier golf club 10 than the club 10 with the light-producing insert 36. Use of the insert 50 and cover 66 may be desirable in instances where club 10 is used in regulation golf play, such as those tournaments or rounds requiring conformity to the Rules of Golf promulgated by the United States Golf Association, or other instances in which a user does not wish to have the light-producing insert 36 installed.

This invention allows a user to become accustomed to and practiced at aiming the ball-striking surface 16 of the club 10 directly at the target 22. The regularly-spaced markings 26, 28 on surface 24 of target 22, which in some embodiments may extend laterally from cup 34 to a greater extent than shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 10, 11B, and 12B, allow a user to aim at a target other than the center of the cup, if desired. This is often necessary to accommodate for irregular or uneven putting surfaces.

As is seen in FIG. 10, the target 22 includes a bottom plate 90 which preferably covers a cavity 91 and may be fastened to the target 22 by a plurality of fasteners. A circuit board 80 is provided to which an activation switch 82, an indicator light 84, a speaker 86 and a plurality of sensors 88 are preferably attached. Along the back of the target 22, an opening 108 is included into which a battery pack 92 connected to circuit board 80 is placed. A back cover 94 is provided to protect the battery pack 92. Along the surface 24 of the target 22, an opening is provided into which a translucent light pipe 78 is removably secured, preferably fitting over indicator light 84. Another opening, a speaker hole 96, as seen in FIGS. 8, 11B and 12B, is provided in the surface 24 for sound waves from the speaker 86 to be more readily dispersed to a user of the target 22. A separate opening 106 is provided in the surface 24 for the plurality of sensors 88 to be accessible to receive the light beams along line 30 produced by the club 10. An insert 74 with an opening 75 and the projections 76 is placed in the opening 106.

It should be noted that bright sunlight or artificial light may cause the path of the light beam along line 30 to be obscured, or become very dim, causing the plurality of sensors to be unable to receive light beams emitted from the club 10. This situation may also cause the light emitted from the indicator light 84 to become obscured to a user of the target 22. In such an event, a tunnel 70 is provided, as seen in FIGS. 9, 12A and 12B, with hole parts for removably fitting on to the projections 76 of the insert 74 so as to anchor the tunnel 70 within the target 22. An opening 71 at the rear of the tunnel 70 is aligned with the opening 75 in insert 74 when the tunnel 70 is removably fitted on to the projections 76, allowing the sensors 88 to remain accessible to receive the light beams along line 30 produced by the club 10, but shielding the sensors 88 from sunlight or artificial light. Additionally, a visor 72 is provided to be removably fitted between a top flange 100 and a bottom flange 102, as is seen in FIGS. 8, 11A and 11B, shielding sunlight or artificial light which would otherwise obscure the light beams from the indicator light 84, allowing the light beams from the indicator light 84 to be visible to the user.

In operation and as seen in FIG. 1, a user places the target 22 on a surface. Such a user may prefer to place the target 22 over an actual golf cup 34. In such a case, golf tees 104 may be placed in tee holes 98 to removably secure the target 22 in the ground around the cup 34. If sunlight is so bright as to obstruct view of the light beams emitted from club 10 along the line 30, the visor 72 and the tunnel 70 may be installed on target 22. Installation of the visor 72 and the tunnel 70 may also be performed when the target is used indoors under intense artificial light conditions.

A user then activates the target 22 by moving the activation switch 82 to an “on” position, in which the battery pack of the target 22 provides voltage to the sensors 88, enabling the sensors 88 to receive light beams emitted from the light-producing source 46 of the club 10. Voltage is also provided to the speaker 86 and the indicator light 84.

As is further seen in FIG. 1, a user may position the club 10, with the light-producing insert 36 and the bottom access cover 64 installed thereon, at a distance away from the target 22. A user then activates the light-producing source 46 in the club 10 by depressing the switch button 60. Such movement causes the switch 56 to be moved to an “on” position, causing the batteries 38 to provide voltage to the light-producing source 46. Beams of light are then projected outwardly through aperture 18 and through translucent element 20 along the line 30. The target 22, with the activation switch 82 in the “on” position, receives the beams of light along the surface 24, which acts as a reflecting surface, and through the light-receiving sensors 88 when the club 10 is properly aligned to the target 22. Circuitry provided by the circuit board 80 in the target 22 then causes the indicator light 84 to light and the speaker 86 to emit a tone, allowing the user to receive information both visually and aurally that the club 10 is in proper alignment with the target 22.

Although the above description refers to a particular means, materials and embodiments, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt to various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A golf club, comprising: a shaft; a head joined to the shaft; a first insert being light-producing and configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity; and a second insert configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity in place of the first insert; wherein the head comprises a ball-striking surface with an aperture formed therein for allowing light to pass therethrough and a cavity located adjacent the aperture.
 2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the second insert is non-light-producing.
 3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first insert is substantially equal in weight to the second insert.
 4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the ball-striking surface includes a translucent material disposed over the aperture.
 5. The golf club of claim 1, further comprising a prism disposed in the cavity, wherein the prism columnates a beam of light produced by a light-producing source in the first insert to form a line of light on a surface between the head and a target.
 6. The golf club of claim 5, wherein at least portion of the beam of light is projected directly to and is reflected by a surface of the target.
 7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first insert further includes a battery, a light-producing source powered by the battery, and a switch allowing a user to selectively activate the light-producing source.
 8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the first insert further includes a prism and a housing, wherein the housing encloses the prism, the battery, the light-producing source, and the switch.
 9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the head includes a bottom surface, a first cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the first insert and a second cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the second insert.
 10. The golf club of claim 9, wherein the first cover plate includes access to the switch for use in selectively activating the light-producing source.
 11. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the aperture is located at an approximate midpoint of the ball-striking surface.
 12. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first insert weighs more than the second insert.
 13. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the first insert weighs less than the second insert.
 14. A golf club, comprising: a shaft; a head joined to the shaft; a first insert being light-producing, having a light-producing source and configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity; a second insert being non-light-producing and configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity in place of the first insert; a first cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the first insert; and a second cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the second insert; wherein the head comprises a ball-striking surface with an aperture formed therein, and located at an approximate midpoint thereof, for allowing light to pass therethrough, a cavity located adjacent the aperture, and a bottom surface; wherein the first light-producing insert comprises a prism disposed in the cavity, the prism for columnating a beam of light produced by the light-producing source in the first insert to form a line of light on a surface between the head and a target, wherein a portion of the beam of light is projected directly to, and is reflected by, a surface of the target, a battery connected to the light-producing source, and a switch allowing a user to selectively activate the light-producing source and weights; and wherein the first cover plate includes access to the switch for use in selectively activating the light-producing source.
 15. A golf practice arrangement, comprising a target for use in combination with a golf club, the target comprising: a plurality of light-receiving sensors for receiving at least a portion of a beam of light produced by the golf club; and an indicator light activated when one or more of the plurality of light-receiving sensors receives the beam of light.
 16. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes a reflective surface adapted to extend transversely to a target line produced by the beam of light, the surface having a plurality of regularly-spaced marks thereon.
 17. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target further includes a speaker activated when the beam of light produced meets one or more of the plurality of light-receiving sensors.
 18. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes a visor removably secured to a top portion of the target over the light-receiving sensors.
 19. The practice arrangement of claim 18, and a tunnel removably secured to a bottom portion of the target in front of the light-receiving sensors for directing at least a portion of the beam of light toward the sensors.
 20. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes a switch for allowing a user to selectively activate the plurality of light-receiving sensors.
 21. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes a battery for activating the plurality of light-receiving sensors and the indicator light.
 22. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes an internal surface and a light pipe in the surface over the indicator light.
 23. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes an open-ended insert removably secured by a resilient frictional interference fit in an opening in the surface around the plurality of light-receiving sensors for directing at least a portion of the beam of light produced toward the sensors.
 24. The practice arrangement of claim 15, wherein the target includes a portion configured to extend around a golf hole to allow securement of the target in a position relative to the golf hole.
 25. The practice arrangement of claim 24, wherein the portion includes holes to accept golf tees, or other similarly shaped objects, to secure the target to a playing surface below the target and in a position relative to the golf hole.
 26. A golf practice arrangement, comprising a target for use in combination with a golf club, the golf club comprising: a shaft; a head joined to the shaft; a first insert being light-producing, having a light-producing source and configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity; a second insert being non-light-producing and configured so as to be operably and removably received within the cavity in place of the first insert; a first cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the first insert; and a second cover plate for the bottom surface of the head for use in conjunction with the second insert; wherein the head comprises a ball-striking surface with an aperture formed therein, and located at an approximate midpoint thereof, for allowing light to pass therethrough, a cavity located adjacent the aperture, and a bottom surface; wherein the first light-producing insert comprises a prism disposed in the cavity, the prism for columnating a beam of light produced by the light-producing source in the first insert to form a line of light on a surface between the head and a target, wherein a portion of the beam of light is projected directly to, and is reflected by, a surface of the target, a battery connected to the light-producing source, and a switch allowing a user to selectively activate the light-producing source and weights; and wherein the first cover plate includes access to the switch for use in selectively activating the light-producing source; and the target comprising: a surface for reflecting at least a portion of a beam of light produced by the golf club; a plurality of light-receiving sensors for receiving at least a portion of a beam of light produced by the golf club; and an indicator light activated when one or more of the plurality of light-receiving sensors receives the beam of light. a speaker activated when a beam of light produced by the golf club meets one or more of the plurality of light-receiving sensors; a visor removably secured to a top portion of the target over the light-receiving sensors; a tunnel removably secured to a bottom portion of the target in front of the light-receiving sensors for directing at least a portion of the beam of light toward the sensors; a switch for allowing a user to selectively activate the plurality of light-receiving sensors of the target; a battery for activating the plurality of light-receiving sensors and the indicator light; an internal surface and a light pipe in the surface over the indicator light; an open-ended insert removably secured by a resilient frictional interference fit in an opening in the surface around the plurality of light-receiving sensors for directing at least a portion of the beam of light produced toward the sensors; a portion configured to extend around a golf hole to allow securement of the target in a position relative to the golf hole, wherein the portion includes holes to accept golf tees, or other similarly shaped object, to secure the target to a playing surface below the target and in a position relative to the golf hole; and wherein the surface for reflecting at least a portion of a beam of light produced by the golf club is adapted to extend transversely to a target line produced by the beam of light, the surface having a plurality of regularly-spaced marks thereon. 